GOOSE HUNT LEADS TO CITATIONS AND ARREST

Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries Enforcement Division agents cited two men in Vermilion Parish for violations of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act on Jan. 18.

Agents cited Glennward Smith Jr., 23, and James Thomas Bruton, 34, both from Kaplan, for allegedly hunting geese with the aid of a vehicle and with unplugged shotguns and for hunting migratory game birds without a basic hunting license, state duck stamp and federal duck stamp. Bruton was also cited for using lead shot.

While investigating a complaint of persons shooting geese with the use of a vehicle, agents encountered Smith and Bruton after they shot into a flock of geese near Chestnut Road, west of Kaplan. The investigation revealed that the men had used a vehicle to approach a flock of geese and that neither had the licenses or stamps required to hunt geese. One blue goose was seized and donated to charity.

In addition, agents arrested Bruton for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. He was booked into the Vermilion Parish jail and bond was set at $5,000.

The penalty for each violation of the Migratory Bird Treaty Act is a fine up to $15,000, or jail for up to six months or both. The penalty for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon is imprisonment with hard labor between 10 and 15 years without the benefit of probation, parole or suspension of sentence and also a fine between $1,000 and $5,000.

Agents participating in the investigation were Lt. Robert Buatt, Senior Agents Lonnie Campbell and Layne Picard, and Agent Justin Sonnier.